Lennon and The Beatles

“Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one.”

John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England in October of 1940. Abandoned by his parents at an early age, later, he was raised by his aunt. Inspired by the American King of Rock-Elvis Presley, Lennon soon developed an interest in singing and playing an array of instruments. He was in his school years when he met Paul McCartney and decided to start a band. George Harrison later joined the band as a lead guitarist. Starting off with Pete Best as the drummer, the band later switched him for Ringo Starr. Thus, the legendary ‘The Beatles’ was formed.

In the ’60s The Beatles rocketed up to the epitome of Pop culture. Releasing iconic albums like ‘Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band’, ‘Abbey Road’ and ‘Please Please Me’ the band took the world by storm. John Lennon, apart from being a guitarist, also contributed in writing several hit singles like ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, ‘Help!’, ‘Rain’ and ‘In My Life’. The band ruled worldwide charts and topped the list each time they released an album. Their almost magical journey, however, came to a screeching halt.

In the year 1967, their manager Brian Epstein died of drug overdose. This was a huge blow for the band. Under McCartney’s leadership, the band continued for a few years. However, their later albums ‘Magical Mystery Tour’, ‘Yellow Submarine’ and ‘The White Album’ failed to perform commercially as well as critically. This was also the time when the band members started to diverge. Most prominently, Lennon started working with his wife Yoko Ono in a band called ‘Plastic Ono Band’. Later that year, Lennon and his wife Yoko took part in a peaceful protest. This further intensified the rift between the band members.

In the years 1969, Lennon left the band. Not soon after, in 1970, Paul McCartney announced his departure and confirmed the rumours about the splitting up of ‘The Beatles’. However, before splitting up, the band released two of the most seminal albums of The Beatles career – ‘Abbey Road’ and ‘Let It Be’.

In 1970 Lennon along with Yoko Ono released their first album ‘John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band’. He followed that with his ground-breaking album ‘Imagine’. A single of the same name inspired millions at the time and still holds a special place in everyone’s heart. In the following years, Lennon withdrew from music and was involved in radical politics. His activism against the Vietnam War put him in a precarious position. His life was in constant danger. This exacerbated his relationship with Yoko Ono. They separated in 1973, but gradually understood each other’s faults and came back together in 1975.

It would be another five years till Lennon released another album. In 1980, Lennon and Yoko Ono released their album – ‘Double Fantasy’ which turned out to be a huge success. Unfortunately, while working on his next album, John Lennon was shot by a deranged fan. He was pronounced dead on December 8, 1980. This shook everyone to their core. The whole world mourned for him. His death changed the course of pop culture forever. He was posthumously inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Even though he isn’t with us anymore, Lennon’s wise word and his heart touching music will keep inspiring people to spread peace and do better in life.